Every offseason brings one thing that fans and writers alike canโt resist: predictions. The Smoking Musket staff grabbed the crystal ball, sharpened our pencils, and put together our best shot at forecasting what the 2025 college football season could look like. From West Virginiaโs win-loss record to the chaos of the Big 12, from national title favorites to dark-horse Heisman contenders, weโve got it all covered. Spoiler alert: weโre leaning a bit more optimistic than Vegas oddsmakers.
Mountaineersโ 2025 Outlook
West Virginia football enters the 2025 campaign with cautious optimism. The program showed flashes of growth last year, and with a more seasoned roster, the expectation is simple: compete every Saturday. Our staff projections range from seven to nine wins, depending on how quickly the offense gels and whether the defense can tighten up in key matchups. One thing is certainโthe Mountaineers wonโt be a pushover.
Big 12 Predictions
The Big 12 picture looks as crowded as ever. Texas is gone, but parity remains the theme. Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and UCF all loom as potential spoilers, while WVU will try to punch above preseason expectations. Our panel sees the Mountaineers as a middle-to-upper-tier squad, capable of pulling off one or two surprises against ranked opponents. Donโt be shocked if November football in Morgantown has real stakes.
Who Wins the Natty?
Turning to the bigger picture, Georgia and Alabama still headline most national title conversations, but Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas (now in the SEC) are also on the radar. A bold pick from one of our writers even puts Florida State back in the mix. While the Mountaineers may not be ready for that stage just yet, our staff believes they can shape the playoff race by upsetting a contender.
Heisman Hopefuls
The Heisman Trophy is always unpredictable, but names like Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers, and Drew Allar keep surfacing. From the Big 12, UCFโs quarterback could be a surprise dark horse if his offense clicks. For WVU, it may be too early for a Heisman run, but emerging playmakers could start building buzz this season.
The Bottom Line
Predictions are just predictionsโbut they stir the passion of college football. For Mountaineer Nation, the outlook is brighter than many betting lines suggest. Call us biased, but we believe 2025 could be the year WVU takes a real step forward, reshaping the narrative in the Big 12 and beyond.
